Two-year-old Leon Garcia died from a gunshot wound to the chest inside a southeast Albuquerque apartment on April 7, 2025. Police say family members called and initially described the shooting as possibly accidental; officers found Leon in the living room with a firearm that had an extended magazine reported lying next to his body.

Leon’s mother, 20-year-old Amillia Marie Garcia, was arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death, tampering with evidence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities say the gun had been purchased illegally off the streets and was later removed from the apartment before police arrived. Three other adults — Angel Morales, 22; Angelica Lucero, 24; and Angel Cordova, 25 — were charged with tampering with evidence. Cordova allegedly admitted wiping the gun and being asked to remove it.

Investigators are working with the ATF and have considered additional charges under the Bennie Hargrove Safe Storage Act. After an initial release on pretrial supervision, Amillia Garcia was taken back into custody following an alleged shoplifting incident and a judge ordered she remain in custody while the cases proceed. If anyone has information about what happened at the apartment that day or knew Leon, please share what you know.